Extension



(No' Model.)

P. W. BAILEY. EXTENSION LADDER.

No; 375,250; Patented Dog. 20, 1887.

WITNESSES N. PETERS PholwLilhugmpher. Washi nnnnnnn C UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

PRYOE WESLEY BAILEY, OF SENECA FALLS, NEW YORK.

EXTENSIONvLADDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part ofLetters' Patent No. 375,250, dated December 20, 1887.

Application filed October 17, 1887. Serial No. 252,581. (No model.)

To all whom) it may concern.-

Be itknown that I, PRYoE WEsLEY BAILEY, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Seneca Falls, in the county of Seneca and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Extension-Ladders; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same,reference being had to the accompanying drawings,and to the letters of reference marked thereon,which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in extension-ladders; and it consists in a certain construction and arrangement of parts which will be more fully set forth hereinafter.

The object of my invention. is to provide a substantial, novel, and easily-managed extensionladder, that can be operated independently from the ground or by any person standing on the ladder. After extending or contracting, the chains used in accomplishing this end can be utilized in lowering orraising anything desired; or in case of fire persons or property can be raised or lowered thereon, or lines of hose can be raised thereby to an elevated position. I attain these ends by the device which this specification andannexed drawings fully illustrate.

Figure 1 is an elevated perspective view of the ladder in position for use. Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 are detail views of parts to be referred to hereinafter.

As shown in the drawings, Fig. 1, the ladder A is constructed in two sections, a anda. It, however, may be constructed of more than two sections. Section a has four pieces ofiron, b,

bent at the ends in a right angle, which fit closely into the spaces made to receive them 7 on the inner side of frame at the top and near the center, and secured thereto by means of screws or bolts.- These pieces of iron 5 project slightly beyond and overlap section (1, thereby affording a guide or clasp in which section a works or slides. The lower end of section a is provided with metallic pawls B, (see Fig. 2,) which are so constructed and arranged as to engage (in extending or shortening the ladder A) each succeeding round of section a in a rigid continuous connection. The pawls are tripped (for the purpose of extending the ladder) by chain 0, attached to the end of its 3' aw, which extends over the top round of'section a on groove in round, passing down and-under lower round of section a in a similar groove, passing up to lower end of a,

where it is attached by screw or hook. Pawls The pawls B are hinged upon iron rod 1), which is secured in frames of section a. In the lower portion of pawls is a stay-rod, I), the ends of which are bent at right angles and secured to pawls by means of screws or bolts.

In the lower and top portions of section a two shafts, G, are secured and pivotally mounted between and in the frame or sides of section a. Said shafts are provided with four operating-handles, g, and upon each end of shafts C is mounted a chain sheave or pulley, D, which is so constructed, Fig. 4, as to operate the endless chains E.

At the lower end of section a is firmly secured a grip, F, which is formed with angular shoulder f, such as will enable it to be secured firmly to said section, Figs. 3 and 1. The outer edge of grip F has reduced ears f, through which passes a stay-bolt, h, which forms an opening through which chains E work while the ladder is being extended or lowered, this stay-bolt h preventing the chains from getting out of position. There is a projeotiomf on the side of grip F, through which is an eye or hole, and into which is adjusted a screw, f upon which works' an enlarged circular tap, f, for the purpose of operating grip. To the inner end of screw f is secured a piece of metal, f, with semicircular groove that is adapted to fit down or clamp firmly upon chains E when tap f is turned. The endless chains or cables E work in the opening provided, as heretofore stated, and upon the sheaves or pulleys D, Fig. 1.

G indicates, Figs. 5 and 6, the brace-poles, which are made of wood or other suitable material, into the lower end of which is inserted a pointed piece of iron, which penetrates the ground and holds the ladder firmly in position while in use, however uneven the surface. In the upper end of brace-poles G is a universal joint, 9 which is constructed so as to enable them to be attached to either round of section a, or they may be attached to eyes formed upon an end of a bolt secured to the sides of section at. These joints are made as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The joint shown in Fig. 6 is a modification of the one in Fig. 5.

The operation of my extension-ladder A is as follows: When mounted for use by means of brace-poles G, the circular tap f is turned sufficiently to force the clamp f upon the chains E. This being accomplished, the shaft Ois turned, which forces section a forward, and as each successive round of section h is passed the chain c relaxes its position, and the pawls B, guided by stationary pin (1 and hinged upon iron rod 11, fall back into their normal position and engage firmly the round passed. The ladder is shortened by reversing direction of shafts O.

The ladder A can be operated as readily by shaft at top of section a. as it can by shaft at bottom. If the ladder is operated from the ground, the lower shaft is turned; if by any one standing on ladder, top shaft is used. When the ladder A is shortened orlengthened to position desired, the circular tap f is turned and the clamp f 5 is loosened. The chains are then ready for use to lower or raise any article or object required.

My improved cxtensionladder is readily mounted for use at any desired place, and is simple in construction and operation. With these advantages in view my invention is rendered useful to carpenters, 850., in the construction of buildings, &c., and especially is it useful in large buildings, such as hotels, theaters, &c., in case of fire. The extension and telescoping features and entire construction make it useful in every respect where ladders are required.

The novelty and utility of my ladder are so apparent that it is unnecessary to further enlarge upon its merits herein.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In the extension-ladder A, the combination of the telescoping sections a and a, the bent irons b, secured to sections a, holding together the upper ends of sections a a, the shafts O, with operating-handles g, mounted in the upper and lower portions of the frame of section a, the chain sheaves or pulleys D,

mounted upon shafts G, the endless chains or cables E, passing over pulleys or sheaves D and working thereon, the pawls B, secured near the bottomof section a, hinged upon iron rod 1), with iron rod 12 secured to the lower portion thereof, guided by stationary pin d in slot 6, and chain 0, the grip F, attached to frame of section a. near the bottom by means of screws through angular shoulder f, the staybolt h through ears f, and the screw f upon one end of which works the circular tap f, and to the other end of which is attached the clamp f and the brace-poles G, with universal joints 9 and all substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination,with sections a and a, of the ladder A, the shaft 0, with operating-handlesg, the chain sheaves or pulleys I), mounted upon shafts G, the endless chains or cables E, passing over said pulleys or sheaves and working thereon, the pawls B, attached to section a, the grip F, attached to frame of section a, and the braces G, all substantial] y as described and set forth.

3. In an extension-ladder, the combination of the telescoping sectional ladders a and a, the upper and lower chain-sheaves D, mounted upon shafts O, endless chains or cables E, grips F, and pawls B, so constructed and arranged that it can be extended or lowered either from the ground or from the top of lower section of ladder independently, substantially as described.

4. The grip F, with angular shoulderf as a means of securing to frame, the stay-bolt h, earsf, screwf, circular tapf, and clampf in combination with ladder and chain so constructed and arranged that they will permit the endless chains or cables to be released after ladder is in position, for the purpose of raising or lowering any object desired, substantially as shown.

5. The pawls B, hinged upon iron rod 1), with iron rod b secured to the lower portion thereof as a stay, the guiding stationary pin (1, slot 0, and chain c, in combination with ladder-sections, for the purpose of engaging each succeeding round of lower section in a rigid continuous connection, as shown and set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

PRYCE XVESLEY BAILEY.

Witnesses:

J. W. NEWKIRK, B. F. QUIMBY. 

